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Tag Cloud

Tundra Ringed Plovers

Jun 1 2012 4:07 PM

Well, it might be June but the waders are still making their way north to breed. There have been more passage waders arriving on North Screed with three Ringed Plovers present on 30th May. This flock had increased to 13 this morning and it included some rather small, dark looking birds that could be attributed to the subspecies tundrae. It is likely that all the Ringed Plover were of this form. Tundra Ringed Plovers will breed in northern Scandinavia or northern Russia and significant numbers pass through the UK during May.

Other passage waders include the Greenshank below and a nice breeding-plumaged Dunlin. With waders passing through on their spring migration still, it might come as a surprise that I expect the first returning autumn waders by mid June!!

Breeding activity continues, with another brood of Coots appearing this morning (third of the season) and a brood of Greylag Geese on North Screed. A single well grown Lapwing chick is on North Screed. I hope it makes it to fledging as this might be the only one to make it this year. A drake Wigeon headed in the direction of Wykeham Lakes, where it was seen to arrive soon after departing here. A pair of Shelduck remain in residence.